Match Day Thread Oxford United v Sunderland - Saturday 19th September - KO 15:00

Our "strikers" are a real conundrum, are all three below par, or do we not play to their strengths, this has been discussed a few times on this board and has led to much debate, it certainly seems to have Parky flummoxed, We could as you say pair up any two from three to see how it goes, this is a good idea, but if they still cant make a success of it what next.
It may be unorthodox, (that rules it out immediately) but I would try our top scorers, Gooch and Maguire, neither make particularly good wide men imo, but both know how to score goals and if paired together up front could turn out to be just what we need. certainly two up front gives us an extra man in midfield.

 

Good shout. Worth a try

 

I like unorthodox if it will get us out of this league. I think Charlie Wyke would make a great CB -- you'd never have to worry about an own goal!

I recall Gooch playing striker towards the end of his U23 days. I'm not sure if Gooch is best out wide either. He often attempts to dribble past two defenders rather than looking for a teammate. He does seem to like scoring goals for safc though.

And if Gooch and Maguire move inside that leaves room on the wing for Diamond!

 

Ah I never saw it I have to say. But if he’s sharpened himself up the that’s good. Scowen surely has to start though doesn’t he? Still can’t see why he diesnty

 

I am baffled by Scowen.

Grant looked fitter than anytime since his return, he’s never gonna get that mobility back but he didn’t look like he was out of steam at all. He’s a good footballer, it was physicality that was his big killer, if he’s a bit fitter I’m delighted for him to have a shirt.

See after a few games.

 

At least he knows how to defend corners, he should be taking the training sessions, that is if they have any.
Maybe not a fair analogy, but I can remember when Watson moved from centre forward to centre half and it worked for him.

 

The last two seasons our centre backs were that bad, he couldn't have been any worse, but this season we seem to have sorted the CB positions out.

 

https://www.safc.com/news/team-news/2020/september/oxford-united/highlights-v-oxford

 

Cheers Rog

 

welcom mate

 

Cheers.. Cracking second goal..

 

We live in hope, we do, I am not keen on Flanagan tbh., one decent game is fine, but he has mistakes in him, and for such a tall man he should be defending set pieces better, personally I would like to see what Feeney and AX can do. With so many games to play this season one or two changes will be inevitable so we will soon find out. All in all our defensive record is not a worry, its the outfield that needs a tweak, Parky does not seem to have any worries, or answers, but hopefully change will come by accident rather than design, it often does in football.

 

Remember Wigan manager getting rid of Grigg as they weren't and didn't want to adjust to play to his limited strengths - ball down the channel.

Also, we beat Parky Bolton to the signing of Wyke....

 

To me to call the three of our "strikers" poor is probably overstating their worth, its just down to deciding which is the least worse. Possibly Graham, but thats just because we have seen less of him recently. Apart from seeing out his contract, the outfield five is Parkys biggest problem, Power, Scowen, Leadbitter, Maguire, Gooch, O'Brien, Grigg, Wyke, and Graham seem to be the favourites so far, if, and its a big if, they are good enough to get us out of this league they do not look like any basis for survival to me so far, and Parky even less.

 

Anybody heard how serious or otherwise Powers injury is there's nowt on the clubs website.

 

The signing of a dynamic striker would give the whole club a massive boost.

I'd like a left sided midfielder, a keeper and a pacy number 10 but a striker would enthuse the ones we already have and make them better imo.

 

https://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk...underland-clash-star-man-set-miss-out-2979196

Nothing much, will be assessed but no worries as plenty of cover

 

Not sure he would be missed tbh, good squad man and gives 100%, but so does Wyke.

 

very poor first half hopefully better second half like last week and Wyke would not get a game for South Shields

 

That's better - Wyke shot blocked